Who's the gang on our street? by Suzanne Gervay. Illus. by Nancy Bevington

A survey of all the different gangs and kids on suburban streets is the order of the day in this charmer from Suzanne Gervay.

Questioning whether or not kids are part of one particular gang is the thread holding the narrative together, as we are asked if we are part of a rock group with spiked hair or belong to a soccer gang, or billycart gang or a gang that plays music. Do we balance like acrobats, or a birthday gang munching on delicious treats, or a dancing gang that likes to zigzag their steps.  Each question about what gang the person belongs to is offered a response: they may not be part of the gang that does this, but they certainly can do other things just as well. So we learn that this gang has punky munky hair, loves to play, is the fastest in the street, can hang upside down and loves squishy bananas. At the last like, the team in the neighbourhood wants to find out who this gang is, and wanders around the streets until the gang is found.

Reader will laugh out loud as they recognise the creatures, ticking off the various attributes Gervay lists in the text, understanding that of course this is the gang, one they see all the time in their streets, but do not take much notice of. Now they will. This book is a lovely exercise in taking notes of what is around you. The illustrations are exuberant in their movement and colour, drawing the eyes over the activities the gang is involved in, reminiscing on the ones they have mastered themselves, waiting for playtime to try them out. From both the illustrations and text readers would be able to list all the attributes of this gang and compare them with the things they can do. And each gives a moment or two of mirth as the children and cockatoos gamble in the street. I tried counting the cockatoos in the book, how will your students go?

Themes: Friendship, Australian cockatoos, Gangs, Activities, Humour.

Fran Knight